Market for Hemp-Based Foods in 2026
What factors are contributing to the Hemp-Based Foods Market in 2026?

The increasing use of hemp-based foods arises from a growing demand for plant-based components which can help provide proteins, oils, fibers, and nutritional value to conventional products. The most commercially viable form of such hemp foods is the hemp seed and its products, namely, hulled hemp seed, hemp seed protein powder, and hemp seed oil. In the United States, according to the FDA, all three of the hemp seed-derived products can be used for certain human-food applications when all the requirements are fulfilled. It is important to mention that hemp seeds naturally do not contain THC or CBD. Nevertheless, traces of both compounds can be found due to the contact with other hemp plant parts during harvesting.

What are the types of hemp-based foods?

These include hemp seeds, hemp hearts, hemp seed oil, hemp protein products, nutrition bars, cereals, beverages, baked goods, snacks, spreads, and plant-based food products with hemp seed ingredients. The FDA document provides information on potential applications of hulled hemp seed, hemp seed protein powder, and hemp seed oil in products, including smoothies, protein drinks, plant-based dairy products, soups, sauces

Are hemp foods the same as CBD foods?

Not necessarily. Products based on hemp seeds and those that contain cannabinoids are two distinct types of products when it comes to commercial and regulatory categorization. As FDA explains, some hemp seed-based ingredients are considered to be legal in food products, but FDA still distinguishes such products from those which include CBD or other cannabis-derived ingredients. In its statement, FDA notes that addition of CBD to foods remains subject to provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and no rule regarding CBD as food additive was issued yet.

Such differentiation is important from the commercial perspective because products made using hemp seed protein are not the same as beverages supplemented with CBD.

What makes hemp protein appealing to food producers?

Protein derived from hemp seeds offers food producers another option of plant protein ingredient for the products which require some nutritional differentiation from milk and traditional plant proteins. According to the FDA record, hemp seed protein powder received a "no questions" letter regarding its GRAS status under 2018 notification for use in foods (excluding USDA/FSIS regulated foods and infant formula).

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